Researchers, obviously, have their work cut out for them. With lipoatrophy, we know largely how to prevent it, but don't yet have any significantly effective treatments to reverse it. A better understanding of what happens to fat cells—death, disablement, or both—will hopefully point the way to effective treatments. With lipohypertrophy, researchers still need to pinpoint all the underlying factors and how much each contributes to the problem.
The uncertainties of lipodystrophy research is frustrating, especially for people who are experiencing one or more of its symptoms. The truth is, there are no easy answers to come by. The good news is that this problem has become a major focus of research efforts—there are a lot a scientists working on finding the answers we need. So keep your eyes on this web site and others like it for frequent news updates on the latest in lipodystrophy research.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of lipodystrophy, such as changes in your body shape, be sure to discuss them with your health-care provider. And don't be afraid to discuss new information that you find on the World Wide Web or elsewhere with your doctor. The AIDS epidemic has taught many of us to be resourceful with treatment strategies that are already available to us. Dealing with lipodystrophy will require the same optimistic approach, at least until effective therapies become available.
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